Nike Golf has launched a limited edition version of its popular Lunar Control golf shoes.
Developed with insights from Nike Golf athlete Paul Casey, the Nike Lunar Control delivers the optimal combination of stability and comfort in the lightest-weight performance shoe on Tour. This limited-edition version celebrates the game’s most historic Major, The Open Championship, with materials and design details inspired by traditional English tailoring.
Every Nike Golf athlete who played at The British Open Championship last month wore zapair of these limited edition shoes.
Design
Taking a cue from classic British dress shoes and briefcases, the upper of the Nike Lunar Control (Limited-Edition) features tumbled leather with patent-leather accents. Herringbone tweed at the collar evokes tailored suit material, and the lining was inspired by polka-dot handkerchiefs. In a nod to the hand-finished detailing of fine tailoring, the bottom of the eyestay features a double stitch.
Benefits
Flywire construction for ultra-lightweight support and comfort, Ultra-lightweight springy Lunarlon cushioning for soft yet supportive shock absorption, Next-generation Nike Power Platform outsole for enhanced flexibility and natural motion, Waterproof performance leather by Sadesa ®
Support
The saddle panel of the Nike Lunar Control features Flywire for lightweight support and structure right where golfers need it. Flywire is made up of ultra-thin, ultra-strong nylon fibers that wrap the midfoot to hold it in place during activity, eliminating slippage without adding weight.
Cushioning
Playing 18 holes can mean walking five or six miles, which can take a toll on your feet—and your game as a result of fatigue. That’s where Lunarlon cushioning comes in. Found in the heel of this shoe, it provides incredibly lightweight, responsive cushioning and a low-to-the-ground feel for unsurpassed comfort from the first hole to the last.
Stability
Because every golf swing starts from the ground up, the Nike Lunar Control features the Nike Power Platform outsole for stability and balance. It helps keep the foot firmly planted, evenly distributing weight for more power and a smooth transfer from backswing to follow-through. This next-generation version features a secondary Power Channel in the forefoot for greater flexibility and natural motion.
Additional Details
Scorpion Stinger Spikes and Tri-LOK system for excellent traction & one-year limited waterproof.
Availability
There is a very limited run of these special Open Championship Lunar Control shoes available at www.nikestore.com, www.americangolf.co.uk and www.onlinegolf.co.uk
Nike Open Championship Lunar Control Golf Shoes are priced £119.99 rrp.
Balearic sunshine, amazing views and competitive golf is all available in Majorca. With a flight time of just under 3 hours, Majorca has long been a destination for family holidays for tourists all over Europe. The Balearic Island has been building a reputation as a Golf hotspot in Europe, with 21 courses of varying difficulties and design it is a Golfing paradise.
Cheap holidays in Majorca are perfect for short breaks, family holidays and even business trips. Fit in a round or two under the Mediterranean sunshine and have a round of Golf without your trusted brolly that accompanies your bag in the UK. Here is a selection of some of the best courses in Majorca.
The Camp de Mar just west of Palma Majorca is a resort that offers the travelling golfer the chance for a treasured experience, a magnificent 18 hole course is accompanied by an Italian styled restaurant, Pro shop and Golf Academy.
The course rewards precision over length, it is recommended to bring a few spare balls as there is water spread over the course. The course strikes a fair balance between tricky and intricate, and enjoying a good challenge whilst on the course. Awarded championship course status, the course meanders its way beautifully through the natural Majorcan landscape. Take in the olive groves, almond groves and when on the 8th tee a breath-taking view of the bay in Camp de Mar. Green fees hit the €100 mark, but that includes buggy rental.
Golf Poniente is set in between capital of Majorca Palma, and the hustle and bustle of Magaluf. Again this course offers a fantastic landscape to play golf that is unique to Majorca, it was however British golf course designer John Harris that designed this course before its opening in 1978. Harris was behind 450 golf course designs and redesigns, detailing the prestige of this course. The course is hilly in nature so it is recommended that you rent a buggy to enhance your experience further. Once your round has finished enjoy the Majorcan style club house which reflects its countryside location, a retreat worth visiting on your Majorca holiday.
Majorca is a diverse resort and when explored offers something for the whole family, Golf is just one activity for you to enjoy. With great weather and resorts tailored to families, enjoy practicing your swing in one of Europe’s finest golfing destinations.
In the aftermath of the British Open Championship the UK is still praising the latest golf masters champion to come out of Northern Ireland. Darren Clarke was not even on the raidar, let alone backed to win by any pundits.
Clarke entered over 50 major championships before his maiden victory last Sunday at the British Open Championship on a very demanding links course in Sandwich, Kent where one Japanese golfer asked why they didn’t stage the Open in the summer!
Following the recent success of young Rory McIlroy who won this years’ US Open, and Graeme McDowell who won the US Open in 2010, I feel for the forgotten golfer from Northern Ireland who only a few years ago had Tiger Woods looking over his shoulder. But since winning three major championships in 12 months in 2008 (The Open Championship in 2007 and 2008 and the PGA Championship in 2008) Padraig Harrington has failed to be a serious contender; and with all the media hype about the richness of top golfers in Northern Ireland, I didn’t hear Harrington’s name mentioned once.
On the final day Darren Clarke looked composed under pressure from two Americans Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, ranked sixth and seventh respectively, in the world rankings.
Rik Mayall as The Bombardier
Maybe Padraig Harrington can take some tips from Rik Mayall’s character, The Bombardier in this hilarious new video advertisement from Bombardier beer starring Rik Mayall as he gives three tips to improve your golf swing.
Padraig Harrington & Colin Montgomerie discuss 'The Ultimate Open 18'
Which is the greatest opening hole in golf’s Open Championship, or the best around the turn, or indeed the finest finishing hole?
These are questions golfers ask and debate up and down the land. HSBC, celebrating its first year as Patron of the Open Championship, decided to take that debate a step further by engaging two of the world’s finest golfers of recent times, Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie, to create a course of the finest holes in Open Championship golf, “The HSBC Ultimate Open 18“.
HSBC asked each of the players, who with 35 Open appearances between them know a thing or two about Open Championship golf, to produce an 18 hole Open Championship course, using holes from the nine courses on the current Open rota. Their brief was simple: to create a genuine Championship course in terms of length and par and with the sequence of holes corresponding to the actual hole number on the respective course, as played at The Open. They were then pitted against one another in debate, with the BBC’s Andrew Cotter keeping order, to produce the HSBC Ultimate Open 18, potentially the greatest of Open courses, were it to be played for real!
Padraig Harrington commented:
“I really enjoyed the whole process as it’s a discussion we often have. But taking it to the next level, actually to create a whole course, was a real challenge, as well as a lot of fun! There are so many great golf holes on all the Open courses that it’s sometimes hard to pick out one above another. I chose to look at both the design of the hole and the strategy required to play it while, of course, my emotions came into play. My own personal experiences, including the great weeks I enjoyed at Carnoustie and Royal Birkdale, and the history and theatre that I feel when at the home of golf, St. Andrews, for example, were definitely part of my decision making. I’m sure not everyone will agree to every selection – Monty certainly didn’t!”
Both players brought a rich experience to the table. Irishman Padraig Harrington has won two Opens (‘07 and ‘08) and played in 14. Colin Montgomerie holds course records at St Andrews and Carnoustie, finished second in the Open at St Andrews in 2005 and has played an incredible 21 consecutive Open Championships. But they also brought a different approach.
“I focused purely on the quality of the hole, though undoubtedly those that suit me better, the 12th at Royal Birkdale for example, came ahead of others.” said eight-times European Order of Merit Winner, Colin Montgomerie.
“I found it a fascinating exercise and I’m sure plenty of players, professional and amateur alike, will come up to us at Sandwich to tell us we got it wrong. But that’s one of the reasons why we love The Open, because we have nine wonderful courses which all bring their own challenge, their own unique qualities to bear. I look forward to the debate to come!”
The final HSBC Ultimate Open 18 course they agreed on is certainly a challenge to ponder. At 7,264 yards, it’s comparable to this year’s Open course at Royal St George’s, Sandwich for example. But it’s the par 3s that really stand out, with four of the toughest to be found on any course.
Group Head of Sponsorship, Giles Morgan, said:
“HSBC has been involved in golf at all levels since 2003 and in HSBC’s first year as Patron of the Open Championship, we wanted to do something to celebrate one of the unique features of the event which include the wonderful group of links courses on which the Championship is played. Just imagine a round of golf that includes The Postage Stamp, Barry Burn and the Road Hole – sounds good, doesn’t it? We hope that golf fans everywhere will enjoy the HSBC Ultimate Open.”
If you are looking for a golf course that offers sensational views as well as a challenging round with a difference, then you may like The Cascades Golf and Country Club, known as the “Red Sea Treasure” in the sensational Soma Bay.
The Cascades Golf and Country Club set within the boutique destination of Soma Bay offers world class golf in fantastic sunshine all year round. Designed by one of the ‘Big Three’, this spectacular Gary Player designed desert-style links course consists of an 18-hole, par 72 course, a PGA golf academy and an extensive driving range. Nestled in the centre of the course is the beautiful Residence des Cascades, making Soma Bay a perfect year round escape for the whole family.
Described by golfing legend Gary Player as the “Red Sea Treasure” the Cascades is the very first championship course in the Middle East, and has recently been ranked as the best golf course in the world, outside of Europe, for the third year running by the readers of “Golf Journal”. Offering spectacular scenery and lush green fairways, rugged desert mountains and azure blue water, the excitement of the course is as memorable as the views!
As well as the 18 hole, 72 par course, the immaculate Cascades also boasts a 9 hole, 3 par course for less advanced players, and a 60 bay driving range. For those who fancy trying their luck in an amateur tournament, this July The Cascades at Soma Bay is gearing up to host two of the most hotly anticipated tournaments in the golf circuit:
The Cascades Tournament
Red Sea Open Amateur Championship: 5th – 7th July 2011
Based on gross stoke play, this event is available for people with handicaps of six or better for men, and 14 or better for ladies.
La Residence de Cascades is offering a six night, seven day package from $1,065 per person (approximately £654pp), based on two people sharing a double room, half board, including green fees for the five days plus one tournament fee.
Soma Bay Stableford Tournament: 8th & 9th July 2011
Following the Open Amateur Championship, the format of the Soma Bay Stableford Tournament will be Net Stableford scoring, with no handicap limit.
La Residence de Cascades is offering a three night, four day package from $645 per person (approximately £396pp), based on two people sharing a double room, half board, including green fees for three days and one tournament fee.
The boutique hideaway of Soma Bay offers a range of other fantastic activities if guests and their companions need to resist the temptation of the golf course for an hour or too. For active guests, the worldclass kite surfing, snorkelling and diving will never fail to please, and the world-renowned thalasso-therapy spa will unwind and relax guests before a stroll or swim at the pristine natural sand beaches.
